Fire-escape



(No Model.) 7

S. S. ANDREWS.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 433,115. Patented July 29, 1890.

HIM

Hill [NYE/V2071? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL S. ANDREIVS,

OF KNOXVILLE, IOWA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

' r5 SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 433,115, datedJuly 29, 1890.

Application filed April 14, 1890. Serial No. 347,887. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. ANDREWS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Knoxville, in the county of Marion and State of Iowa,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

Figure lot the drawings is a representation of my device in position foruse. Fig. 2 is a detail of the brake mechanism.

My invent-ion relates to improvements in fire-escapes.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the characternamed which will at ford a convenient means of escape from burningbuildings, and which will be simple in construction and inexpensive.

IVith these objects in view the invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction, which will be hereinafter fully described andspecifically claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

I11 the drawings, A represents an endless ladder formed of wire cable orof rope, and provided with the rungs a, the ends of which are twisted inthe cable or rope and firmly secured in position.

B B and B B represent four spools or rollers of suitable size andmaterial, the spools B B being shown as located on the wall of thebuilding near the cornice, while the spools B B are represented aslocated near the ground, said spools being mounted on suitable metalrods (J, which are firmly secured in the building, the outer end of eachbeing held in position by means of braces D, said rods being providedwith movable collars for adjusting the spools.

E represents a wheel or drum corresponding in length to the width of theladder, and provided at either end with an annular cog or sprocketwheel, the teeth or sprockets of which are adapted to engage the rungsof the ladder. This wheel or drum is loosely mounted on a metal rod,which is secured to the building and firmly braced, the point at whichit is located being near the ground and between the two spools B B.

G represents a brake mechanism for regulating the movement of the drum,consisting of the arms g, secured to each end of the drum and providedwith the slots k 7;.

II is a rod which is pivoted in the slot is, its opposite end having afree movement in the slot 7t, and is provided with a handle Z. Securedat or near the center of this rod H is a band or loop L, which passesaround the center of the drum. The friction of this band upon the drumwill prevent its too rapid movement.

The endless ladder is adapted to pass around the spools B B and B B andover the drum E, the cogs or sprockets on each end of said drum engagingthe rungs of said ladder. As shown in the drawings, the ladder andspools are so arranged that the ladder is easily accessible from threetiers of windows. The person escaping steps from the window upon theladder, his weight carrying him to the ground, the speed of the descentbeing checked by means of the drum and brake mechanism, the ladder atall times being in a position for immediate use.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new therein,and that for which I desire to secure Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described fire-escape, consisting, essentially, of anupper and a lower set of horizontally-proj ect in g rollers or spools,an endless ladder passing over said spools, and means for regulating themovement of the ladder, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described fire-escape, consisting, essentially, of anupper and a lower set of horizontally-projecting rollers or spools, adrum, and an endless ladder passing over said spools and drum, and meansfor regulatin g the movement of the ladder, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described fire-escape, consisting, essentially, of anupper and a lower set of rollers or spools projecting horizontally fromthe building-wall, a drum provided with sprockets or cogs, afriction-brake connected to said drum, and an endless ladder passingover said spools and drum, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL S. ANDREWS.

Witnesses:

O. M. BURNETT,

FRANK CLOE.

